MIX BLOGS - My Column Page: Mountain Province Exponent

Does it pay to be honest?

Of the last week’s issue of this paper, I wrote a news article on fun run fun run activity which had highlighted the

San

How far could you remember a person whose feat could be noted for his or her honesty? Perhaps, you can mention few if not some who were once part of your life and had transformed your outlooks because of his sincerity. Ruben Advincula, a taxi driver in

Manila

so far could be one of the greatest persons I can refer to because of his truthfulness in returning the ONE MILLION PESO cash his passenger left in his cab. From this time on, honesty flings among the hands of drivers as they maybe credited for their effort in returning properties their passengers left accidentally in their custody. Likewise, I can still remember the time I wrote a news story about a Korean national who left his bulky wallet in the taxi that contains Php 100,000.00 and more or less a million Korean won cash. The Korean said, “I love the Filipino people, I cannot forget the

Philippines

” when his wallet was returned by said taxi driver.

It feels great to be praised worthy by foreigners because of sincerity and honesty. Five years ago, I also experienced sincerity from the hand of a VICTORY LINER bus conductor in

Baguio

City

. On the verge of rushing as to what bus I will board, I lost my wallet containing check and cash worth thousands of pesos. The group I was with was the region’s representative for the National Press Conference bound to

Cebu

. We flocked in front of the DepEd Regional Office in Wangal where we had the critiquing and training preparations. I lost the said item while boarding in the bus and it was the conductor of the VICTORY LINER BUS who returned directly the item to me. He himself was the eyewitness when I accidentally dropped my wallet. I really can’t repay that honesty and blessing I received. “Thank you” doesn’t half express it but there is the real appreciation within!

Exactly two weeks ago, two among my students who happened to be first year high school entrusted Php 1000.00 bill to Mrs. Imelda Dominguez, a businesswoman in Nakagang junction in Sabangan. Mrs. Amelia Wacangan, a principal by profession and the lone eyewitness of the incident said that such cash was picked up by these students and handed it over to Mrs. Dominguez as the focal person to trace back the amount to the owner. After a week, Mrs. Dominguez came to school and handed the amount to the school since no one came in her custody to claim the amount. As a reward, the school principal had apportioned equally the amount among them (students) and deducted it from their school account as one may appreciate it the best decision to such honesty displayed. With all my delight, I would like to mention Rachelle Balatao, and Luvdeveca Angeles for their honest and sincere choice to trace back the amount to the owner. Such act indeed is another proof that honesty still work.   

Speaking genuineness and honesty is not always easy. After all, the one who makes a decision to tell the truth maintains good conscience as well as good relationship with his real friends, and best of all, the privilege of being a guest in the tent of God. Honestly then is not only the best policy, it is more than the right policy for all Christians.

School may expound another test to honesty. At times when students feel overloaded with homework, they tend to cheat when temptation comes. Surveys conducted in schools in the

United States

show that more than half of all the students have resorted to cheating or have cheated. But while telling a lie may appear alluring, and cheating the easy way out, does it really pay to be honest?

Cheating to break out from the challenges of preparation process might seem beneficial at the moment. But remember the golden rule which says “He that launches forth lies will not escape.” Precisely, some were influence to practice dishonesty in ones work citing for example a person from the provincial BIR office who was arrested due to bribery. Cheating may very well get you that pleasure, but what are the long range effects? You no doubt agree it would be foolish to cheat when resources and leadership seem to work out better output.

But what is certain is the fact that cheating brings you to “dark ages”! True, the results may not be quite dramatic – at first but the act justifies what would likely is the end. The world’s tallest building might collapse, the patient might die, the learners might be mislead, the office might be the junket of irregularities and center of gambling and illegal business when all forms of cheating were perfectly within your hands. Are you afraid of sinking in the job market someday? Better would it be for you to knuckle down and study, rather than to lie and cheat your way through! (For comments, leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my CP at 09185452554).

Television as a teacher

The shift in today’s strategies in teaching is a clear manifestation of a change in the learner’s needs. The traditional classroom allows corporal punishment so to win the learner’s attention in the learning process while it has become a taboo in the global learning state. Further, the teaching practices before had anchored more on lecture method where as the present time makes use of varied teaching styles so to cope up with the learning needs as enhanced by technologies. There are countless circumstances that one can identify when it comes to the paradigm of education from the traditional to technological and multi-logic approaches in teaching. This was the mere reason why most schools today had redefined their curriculum according to the degree at which learning experiences are realized in the actual world.

Classroom at hand is not only confined to the four walls of learning. It is within the flick of fingers. Online teaching through wire services is possible. Distance learning modules are also introduced in the universities for the learner to continue his education even when he confines himself at home. More importantly, screens and other audio-visual materials like PowerPoint presentations, website modules, electronic enhanced materials, and online conferences make learning linkages better. The presence of these educational tools replaced teachers’ physical works that somehow spelled better learning outcome when lessons were animated in a more convincing and pleasing fashions.

Howard Gardner, the main proponent of the multiple intelligences style in teaching believed that the manner, at which learners learn at faster rate are influenced by the way their potentials and inclinations are maximized in the experiential learning. To such, Gardner suggested that for learners to become active, his interests should be maximized in the learning process that is, his visual, kinesthetic, linguistics, musical, mathematical, intra and extra-personal, spatial, and religious intelligences are maximized in his learning.

That is why, visual gifted students can best learn by merely looking at the screen or television as tools in the teaching-learning situation. Further, an audio gifted child who prefers listening to stories has long endurance to lecture methods, while spatial and kinesthetic children keep on moving, standing If not walking while the class is going on. This kind of learners can best learn when a teacher employs animated activity like dancing or role playing in his lessons. Gardner’s philosophy suggested varied teaching techniques so to accommodate learner’s sustained interest in the whole duration of the lesson.

The television as a teacher is really of great advantage. The screen gives the whole knowledge and content of the lesson but the processing is still the work of the teacher. There is no other technology that would substitute the teachers’ employment of his analysis than the teacher himself. Otherwise, if the learning was only impounded in letting students watch animated lessons without the teacher to process the lesson, the whole learning are left to chances.

Sometimes in the classroom, students tend to go uneasy when prompted to behave traditionally putting both his hands on top his table while listening like a robot. This is no longer the trend. Learners at hand need to shout, move, talk, and sit down. This is the mere fact that collaboration among teachers is important so to plan varied activities to be realized in the different subject areas to avoid duplication of techniques. For the teacher to become effective in the classroom, the first step to learning is to know the learners multiple intelligences, interests, family background, and some other related inclinations necessary in the learning goals.

Technologies like television and computer are good for visual and audio talented learners. But then again, the processing has to be done by the teacher himself otherwise the purpose of using these tools in the experiential learning defeats the purpose of realizing the objectives of the lesson. Varied teaching techniques make the everyday success in the classroom paired with teachers’ strong collaboration and sensitivity to understand the learners in the corners of the classroom. (For comments, please leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl).

“Banaue Rice Terraces is found in Baguio City”

Looking at my window outside one time in my office, I saw an old man reading Mountain Province Exponent copy while sitting down in a shaded concrete bench. It was then that I thought of putting up newspaper newsstand near the school compound where the Internet Café is operating. For the first time in history that a newspaper stand stood publicly in the town, the first copies circulated run out timely. The copies thrown to Sabangan were sold out completely before the week end.

I would like to thank everybody for their support in making this paper the first choice. In Sabangan specifically, Mountain Province Exponent copies are available at i-Explorer Internet Café at the Plaza. Copies were made accessible right your next door. Again, I’m very grateful for your support and trust.   

As an active leader during my college days, I was one among the student leaders chosen by the university to represent my school in the 22^nd Congress of College Students held at Teachers Camp, Baguio City.  It was of great surprise to know that some and by truth almost all participants do not know their geography when most of them said that Banaue Rice Terraces is found in Baguio City. This made me think further that geography for them was a result of misconception from their school orientation or could be a consequence of not knowing seriously the nation’s natural features which at par within the reach of reading. The fact of knowing how to read is nothing, the whole point is, knowing where and what to read.

Yes, indeed many Filipinos are still confused of their geography. In fact, educational materials like books often mislead the people about the information bit written in featuring places in the Philippines. This might be the reason why the word IGOROT can be hardly defined by people in the lowland provinces at hand when simply knowing what to read is beyond their comprehension.

During the break of this conference, one of my group mates asked, “Where are you from?” I answered him back saying “I am from Benguet.” Then he said, “Ah, malapit lang pala ang Benguet.” It took me more than a minute to explain to him that Baguio City is within the heart of Benguet province.

This is it! The real scenario of knowing Baguio City is far from the truth. I found and have concluded even early this time that people from Manila and the rest of the places in South have known the Cordillera provinces being referred to only one – and that is Baguio City. If this is the kind of orientation they were exposed, how much effort would there be to understand the real definition of the word IGOROT? To them, IGOROT has something to do with uncivilized young barbarian whose tail (real flesh) keeps waggling while one is in motion.

I thought that the misconception only occurred in oral history. That the people were greatly affected by this inaccurate concept because it was transferred by word of mouth and that they forgot the learning they had maybe from their schooling.

BUT IT WAS NOT. My 7-year old daughter once handed to me an article for her assignment. The BOOK says, Banaue Rice Terraces is found in Baguio City. For the teachers in the Cordillera, this fallacy I believed can be processed by them right in the classroom. But what about those teachers who don’t bother to check the facts from reliable sources?

Even now, there exists wrong definition of Cordillera geography much more when the word IGOROT is at stake the topic. By merely joining in the Pinoy chat rooms, you can really feel the genuine state of misleading notions about the Igorots in the Cordilleras. You notice that I used the word FEEL as my verb because you might say my source is unreliable by the fact that it is in the internet chat rooms where all forms of lies are found. 

Notwithstanding, it is my delight to reveal real facts and electronic sources about our being as Igorot. Despite these setbacks, there exists Igorot websites and other educational materials found in the internet dubbed as authentic springs about Igorot cultures and heritage.

This scenario of misleading information means only one. We have to display eclectic attitude in knowing what to read. This simply calls for genuine processing of information when it is needed. Remember that these inadequacies come in naturally to test how vibrant we are in the midst of this confusing era at present. Reading makes us grow but beware some reading materials contains poison substances. I’m quite sure that the attitude on syncretism to deal with these misconceptions is of enormous contemplation. For reading is the way of feeding one’s mind relative to eating routine so to maintain well state.  (For comments, please leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl).

The “Soliciting Agency”

The birth of the Republic Act 7079 known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 had accommodated space for young writers to exercise their press freedom through school paper. As a school paper adviser for quite some time, I have seen strong sense of writing skills among campus writers who are in passion of cultivating deeper expression of views in the corners of their schools.

To such delight, this act has become the government’s guiding rule in sustaining and protecting campus freedom of the press among students in both public and private institutions. This was designed to advocate the intensification of campus journalism as an avenue of escalating values while promoting critical and creative thinking, nurturing upright attitude and personal discipline among the young writers.

The purpose is very noble. The realization of guidelines has stressed ideas in organizing schools press conferences as a main channel in staging spirited campus press in the cultivation of school’s academic curriculum. However, there seemed to have vague realization of this policy to many schools nationwide despite efforts of the government in asserting this law.

Having been in the program previously, I saw tough intellectual aptitude of many students in this endeavor. The government is right in pronouncing this law that is to strengthen ethical values among students within this reach. I have no question as to the capacity of the young writers to play with situations in the campus for they have the brain, interest and will to do it. In fact, I have seen more student journalists who have the inclinations and good moral standing to interrogate underhanded operation procedures of their schools when prompted a support and proper guidance.

Whether campus press at some stage in this account has stood boldly from a state of grace, campus writers including the school and the paper adviser has experiencing financial difficulty yearly when higher level of schools press conferences are brought to fruition. The real situation spells the predicament of having dubbed as SOLICITING AGENCY or always SEEKING ASSISTANCE financially by others. The thing is, schools press conference is so far the most expensive school activity. The irony is that, it is the most expensive students’ activity yet the activity itself accommodates very few.

I still remember the times when I and my students begged often in the community so to attend the national schools press conference held as far as Mindanao and Visayas regions. Winning a seat in the regional level is all but a tough and to some it’s by luck. I experienced it thrice in a row looking at my student’s determination to compete in the national but it seems that budget would somehow obstruct their vision. But we were able to hurdle the difficulties when we banked on the generosity of friends, relatives, politicians, and the school. It is at this point that since the school budget was poured off in the production of the paper, and some were appropriated to the fare and registration during the Division and Regional Schools Press Conferences, the national level seemed to have ended up a dream hanging out there. The last resort was to solicit benevolent assistance from known resources. Indeed, having it realized for three consecutive school years soliciting in this manner, I came to realize that the school community including the parents is likely to have branded as soliciting agency. At some point of introspection, this has made maybe other schools to close its doors in these fruitful competitions. I don’t know what would be future of this law decades from now if this problem prevails over the scenario soliciting year round.

At any rate, I believe that the campus journalism act would still be fruitful when realized in the school by having the school paper active that is run by the school budget. The act itself is really intended for cultivation of student’s involvement in journalism. The schools press conferences were designed as a mean to encourage schools have campus paper circulate in the campus. It is in the manner that the school is requested to submit a school paper before joining in this academic competition. This is certainly the purpose of this event in encouraging elementary and secondary (even tertiary) schools come up with a paper.

One may think of the seven-digit figures (it sounds million and is really in million pesos) national budget for the schools press conferences excluding the million of pesos collected from the participants. What a big money – indeed the activity is really that expensive.

Finally, one is certain – realizing campus journalism in the school is a help to boost students’ inclinations in journalism but it should be free from suppressed and directives of the authorities, otherwise, the problem lies not on financial facet but on the violation of their rights in writing what is right. Definitely, students when guided properly and when leadership and management are completely executed at normal pace, everything will follow – there would be a perfect blend between services to students and the school authorities. (For comments, feel free to leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl).

The Never Ending Story

By merely looking at the kind of courses offered in most universities at present, education has placed itself in the top row of students’ choices – behind it are varied reasons why some desired to become teacher as their vocation despite the non-promising salary one can find in this profession.

The educators score heavily here. The dominant chord of education is sincerity and humanizing. Touching other’s life in this process and calling is of bit a challenge. This is the indispensable condition of keeping life meaningful by way of understanding the philosophy of living, art of human interaction, science of humanity, and the value of life in itself. Education, it has been said, teaches only one moral lesson, the value of caring life and survival.

The never ending story for a teacher lies in the question, why teach? Many answers are possible, but one spells affliction or maybe adventure to a career in the four corners of learning. Sad to say, some among teachers of today make teaching an overriding motive for money. In this case, they should have taken into account that classroom is not meant for them – they must be elsewhere. Parlor or farm may sound better for such purpose.

It is really a fact that there are hundreds if not thousands highly regarded ways of making a living in which most of these seize out trust of a far fatter paycheck than a cash one is getting monthly as a school teacher. Generally, teaching is a relatively low-paying profession as seen in the global community. Teachers were doomed to live in discreet poverty.

Despite this setback, I am convinced that a profession, like that of education leading others to discover himself and his world plays important and satisfying than a career immersed in the everyday world of business and pressures. Educating the young to such subjects as the origin of man, artwork of human body or the recreations of poetry strikes my teaching pleasure as markedly more satisfying than any other career. In a nutshell, among my motive for choosing teaching, this is evident. I discover teaching to be fun.

Look, who would not be motivated to venture into teaching when life here seems to merge all professions? You can become actor/actress, medical practitioner, guidance counselor, engineer, journalist, artist, researcher, coach and practically almost all forms of career are indeed coined here. In this sense, students deserved quality instructions in their academic disciplines, sports, and other student-related activities which include campus journalism, scouting, art performing clubs, Red Cross participation, investigatory research and others that had turned teachers becomes jack-of-all-trades in the classroom.

Further, teaching is the essential profession, the one that makes all other professions possible. The mere absence of quality educators or shall I say competent and dedicated teachers in the corners of learning, neither enhanced curricula and measurement nor secure schools will make certain that our children are prepared for the challenges and opportunities in Mountain Province’s coming years. In fact, even before our history, education had made its way in making a difference between those who prosper in economy and those who were left behind.

On the other hand, I often hear from people a notion that education is the cheapest and easiest course for students whose level of inclinations and motivations are of second thought. It is evident that most students who failed in their chosen interests tend to consider teaching an escape goat from their academic failures. Further, parents find it easy to recommend education course for their children when their budget cannot accommodate the course interest. In this way, you come to imagine what kind of educators would be produced from all these missteps. Since education makes all possible courses, it would be nice to consider strategies to motivate class of intellectuals in the teaching career aside from those individuals whose pursuit is really for education. (For comments, please leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in cp number 09182658221).

Daw-es – the culture that transforms

How far are oral literatures, indigenous rituals and practices capable of developing those qualities in a man which entitle him to be regarded as one whom, in the broad sense, we call a good man? This question is of importance to all who are concerned with culture. It is a theme that often confronts individual whose passion is linked to people’s way of life traditionally at this point in time. It becomes acute for some whose tastes, inclinations, and abilities seem to point equally in the direction of classical beliefs and of indigenous characters and personalities.

The municipality of Sabangan, known for its Gagayam festival is endowed with a mark gift of culture -based activity to wit; oral literatures, indigenous sports, and the like were accommodated in this annual feast. Further, this festival was designed to fit eSabangan cultures perfectly from the rising of the sun to its setting. For such is likely to achieve its full and natural unfolding, this festival had showcased the typical materials of eSabangan in the field of agriculture, science, literature, and ethics.

Daw-es as they call it remains strong in this village. This had served as golden rule among members of the community who kept fit blunders against anybody within or outside the town. Daw-es is a ritual needed to cleanse any person whose involvements are on crimes which include killing and rape; concubinage and adultery.

If this high estimate of the cultural value of Daw-es, as congruent with the education in the Humanities, is still widely prevalent; if the headmasters of the lal-lakay  (amam-a) are more often recruited from the classics than anybody in the modern society, it is possibly a symptom of the discernment that persists in the lay mind according to which culture is equated with values and an Ap-apo with a sacrificial animal in his strap.

This has somehow denoted the reality that Daw-es is better qualified process than most disciplines to achieve cleansing contentment. For culture is the harvest of enquiry and settling disputes and misunderstandings, the motive most frequently attributed to the lal-lakay is the will to do it. The joy of practice and the satisfaction it brings are certainly among the major pleasures of cultures.

Any person who uses bullets to hurt or take other’s life is still subject to court proceedings. In this way, the culture itself speaks realization of justice in which the victim deserves fairness. As expected, the one who committed the crime when proven guilty would stay behind bars depending on the range of verdict awarded to him in the court. By the time of his release (out from his cell), such person may call for Daw-es ritual purposely to bathe him from the grave failure in order to establish himself willfully as improved person. The Daw-es, besides serving as ritual for cleansing is aimed at ending any form of misfortune to the person (including his family) involved in the process.

It may be observed in passing that the diffusion through society of this obligatory respect for values and rational thinking is one of the important social functions of culture. The lal-lakay influence society for good by upholding the claims of reason as opposed to prejudice and passion. The individual who has been trained to respect the methods and outlook of culture will not be so easily led astray in his social outlook by the evils of the deceitful fate. Persons in the community will prefer judgments based on a dispassionate assessment of facts and will refuse to be swayed by further influence of bad action when Daw-es is successfully initiated. 

This is it, the importance of Daw-es in ones life. But for how long will the Daw-es live? Time will tell. (For comments, please leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp at 09182658221).

Imagine a world without Filipinos

“We have to remember that we are very much dependent on the Filipinos around us. We could die a slow death if they chose to leave us.”

                I was updating my website at home when an email popped out suddenly and had taken my attention for a moment. What a great thing to have this at stake, an article written by a foreign author praising Filipinos in all corners of the world for their heroic or dedicated service they rendered. The line “Imagine a world without Filipinos” by Abdullah Ai-Maghlooth was one of its kinds, indeed a breathtaking piece to have placed Filipinos on banner in an Arab News local press.

                This is exactly a healing power to the wounds we once reaped more or less decade ago when another Arab local press published a very degrading article about Filipinos saying, “No Filipina and a dog is allowed in the elevator.”   

                Having employed Filipinos in all fields if endeavor for a long time, they (Arabs) have somehow thought of the quality services the Filipino workers are giving. Abdullah in his article recognized Filipinos’ involvement in influencing the world. That according to him, Filipinos have the ability to speak very good English and that the training Filipinos received in the early stages of their education like in engineering and road maintenance makes them highly competent in the world’s workplace.

                He said, “So if Filipinos decided one day to stop working or go on strike for any reason, who would transport oil, food, and heavy equipment around the world? When speaking about the Philippines, we should not forget Filipino nurses who composed 23% of the world’s total number of nurses. We can only imagine the disaster that would happen.”

                From his line, one can truly understand that some countries like Saudi Arabia do not actually teach their children maintain machinery or manipulate heavy equipment and that they are dependent on foreign workers like Filipinos to work for them. It’s a good riddance for us, most specially that the government cannot provide enough jobs for its citizens as manifested in the mind blowing number of unemployed Filipinos in the country.

                Nevertheless, one of the points in same article which I find it very interesting is the author’s sensitivity to consider Filipinos’ professionalism quality and globally competitive. This is palpable however when Filipinos make up 20% of the world’s seafarers, 23% world nurses and have statistically found 1,019,577 Filipino workers in his country.

                Such assessment is an astounding involvement one can witness which I believe is a very rare appraisal that will come from a foreign judgment and perception. May this remind everybody in doing same quality and competitive jobs one should display in his own workplace.

                This somehow taught us to be globally competitive too in our own endeavor. Instead of reporting to office one hour late or spending nonsense chase while in office, one may think of spending quality time in ones work by executing his career prudently that is expected from him.

                A specific example of corruption in service includes someone who usually opens his office late then treaded his/her way to rice field leaving his office unattended. More to say, an employee who reports to office at 9 0r 10 am and dismissed himself early at 3 or 4 pm is another breakthrough. Furthermore, it’s but a very painful example to behold educated individuals who engaged themselves to “extra-curricular” job such as the common number-game gambling when their salaries are enough to feed their family. Come on, you come to think of respected personalities in the society whose extra-jobs are on gambling. It would be hard to manifest values at home or in the workplace when the young themselves are the eyewitnesses of such feat. These individuals might have forgotten their code of ethics.

                An effort to at least recognize the important of time element in ones career is an indication of quality and competitive accomplishment. Things related to work when handled properly may heighten ones personality in career. Displaying small yet recommendable service makes the sense of a good staff and that one can live nobly by the inputs that justify the logic of staying long in the work. I am not downgrading somebody here but this serves as a wake call to those who are “sleeping while on duty.” (For comments, please leave them in my website at www.lesiomhar.page.tl or in my cp 09182658221)

The Scientists as students of God

Almost All things are possible and it seems really that nothing is impossible when science speaks the magic it can do through its recent breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and in information-communication discoveries. You come to think of the convenience the electronic devices are meant in which works are done and made easy. One important consideration in realizing the power of these machines in ones daily work is its means to help experts interpret and analyze results in case of research studies, medical practitioners to perform their task in surgery and other medical processes, scientists to explore and unveil secrets of nature in order to become law or principle, teachers to realize effective classroom learning, and other different individuals who are capitalizing on the supremacy of these inventions so to yield quality task. All these are but attained due to a group whose desire is to help make the world a peaceful and convenient place to live in. In a broader sense, they are those who engaged themselves in a systematic activity so to acquire knowledge or an individual who employed practices and traditions in sciences that are linked to philosophy of schools of thoughts and have restricted more of their works in scientific method. Yes, they are the scientists.

The change in the intellectual climate of our civilized society wrought by science in the last three and a half centuries affects our outlook at hand. The technological achievements today sought to answer queries on our existence as creatures of God in manipulation of knowledge, discoveries behind series of experiments in order to penetrate His revealing power in nature.

Prompted to reflect on the harvest of scientific effort, the scientists direct their thoughts to invention and practical applications. To these they describe the increase in the comforts and amenities and the reduction in the risks and suffering of the physical life.

The applications of scientific knowledge are indeed impressive in respect of both the wide range and the alleviation of the discomforts and sorrows we are faced with. But it is an error to allow the natural interest in familiar inventions (radio, air travel, cell phones, silicon chips) or discoveries (anesthetics, penicillin, possibility of vegetation on Mars) to overshadow the other momentous outcome of scientific labor, relative to the revolution produced in human thought and outlook.

It is in this sense one may believe on the intervention of Divine Power in the creation of Universe. In my own understanding, God made use of higher forms of mathematical concepts and higher forms of scientific principles and laws which are beyond our comprehension. It is the main themes of this column that the science motives had customarily attributed to the scientist who enter the temple of Science and quickly pass out again are insufficient to account for the effects. It is perhaps not surprising that those who have but a passing acquaintance with pursuit of scientific knowledge should so often fail to discern the secret of its appeal to its devotees. But there seemed to be among scientists themselves a difference in confessing to the deeper motives which inspire them in their recent researches. Truly, the objective of Science is to safeguard life not science for the extinction of man.

Above all, it is a common notion that scientists contradict the teachings of God. One obvious manifestation of such disagreement is the existence of war equipment and other destructive ammunitions designed to destroy life. We may think of this as a possibility to claim that such belief adheres to what is commonly addressed by layman. But such view was a form of outlawed conviction among scientists who made effort to turn science a tool to build and support life instead. The manner in which science is abused is brought about by an idea that war is really that form of big business in the global community.

Ernest Huntley Hart, American comic-book writer once wrote; “Those who seek signs of quarrel between science and religion will find none, for the pursuit of science is regarded as a religious activity and the contemplation of its revealed truths as evocative of wonder, awe, and worship.” Huntley further explained that there is no such conflict between science and religion because science is one branch of religion and that we must see it as part of the revelation of GOD, not in any kind of contrast to what we may call the normal Christian position. He believed that there is no other way than to say "Science is one of the ways to comprehend the NATURE OF GOD HIMSELF."

It is clearly affirmed here that indeed scientists remain in the light of God’s teachings. As students of God, scientists in their effort to soothe adversities invent materials to help us perform work easier and faster, discover remediation in other fields certainly to make life easy and comfortable. Like in the use of computer, the computer is as good or as bad the person using it – not the belief that computers are regarded as tools to corrupt young minds by way of the pornographies found there or computers are hindrances to one studies if once obsessed with the pleasures it gives. Same through is meant with the scientific inventions. People who abuse their God given intellect will somehow result to negative attributions when used in bad purpose. My call is simple, turn into good the God’s given skills and talents to serve humanity!

Sabangan eco-solid waste intensified

By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay

SABANGAN, Mt. Province – The Ecological Solid Waste Management Board of this municipality had fortified its agenda in waste management programs that heightens its policies in this concern as discussed in the meeting conducted last June 26 at the Municipal Hall here.

Forty members of the board had rekindled their environmental interest in valuing measures relative to the management of the solid waste materials that is in line with the RA 9003 urging all government units nationwide to align its clean and green programs in all the provisions stated therein.

Hon. Donato L. Danglose, the municipal mayor disclosed that the creation of the municipal ordinance 2005-02 series 2005 which is the “Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Municipality of Sabangan” was in response to such Republic Act in setting guidelines and targets for the handling of solid wastes in the municipality.

According to him, such effort in designing this local solid waste management agendum ensures proper wastes segregation and disposal which spells institutionalization of public involvement on environmental awareness for Sabangan municipality in its bid for the cleanest and greenest municipality in the province.

In his statement, said Act was the basis for the possible realization of the municipal ordinance designed to meet the provisions identified in the Act in adopting best environmental practice in ecological waste management which discouraged incineration method.

“This is but an exertion in complementing techniques for the treatment and disposal of solid waste by way of formulating resources in response to the challenge. Failure to implement the Act could be a ground for administrative case against any head of town/cities or province,” the mayor said.

In related development, Mr. Theodore M. Velasco, the Municipal Solid Waste Management Action Officer revealed in his letter invitation the calendar of business of the said meeting to wit; review of the board compositions and functions, presentation and review of 2008 Action Plan, zero cellophane waste campaign project appropriation of the PhP 50,000.00 fund in the AIP, designation of the Barangay and school solid waste management action officers, task working group for the quarterly monitoring activities, and the regular meeting schedule were discussed thoroughly.

In the general action plan which he designed and discussed, the Ecological Solid Waste Management had underscored categories on reducing, re-using, recycling, marketing, collecting, and disposing skills that had identified specific measures in handling solid wastes as far as engineering, education, monitoring and enforcement, accounting, and the sustainability and livelihood are concerned.

Accordingly, success indicators in this endeavor is the strong Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) program of the municipality, likewise the recommendable local governance performance management system and the successful launching of the cleanest and greenest Barangay of Sabangan which were judged on the following criteria; materials recovery facility, physical conditions of built-up and general cleanliness, and the support system. ( By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay)

Ganoderma Products Reach Sabangan

By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay

Sabangan. Have you got problems with hypertension, cholesterol build-up, cancerous cells, heart diseases and hardening of the coronary artery? Not anymore a problem as the Gano itouch Philippines Incorporation – La Trinidad based marketing made effort to bring Ganoderma products closer among the villagers in this province.

Mr. Edwin Caparoso, the marketing director made mention during the medical outreach in Sabangan last week of the Ganoderma’s healing power as cleansing stuff to regulate asthma and high blood besides its proven treatment to major diseases mentioned.

Ganoderma is said to be able to improve the body’s healing ability, maintain a healthy body and promote longevity, beside its power to help the body function more effectively, efficiently and optimally as it was been shrouded in mystery for more than 2000 years.

“Our coming here in Sabangan is our own alternative to reach out the wonders of Ganoderma in the Mountain Province in the multi-level marketing. This is our own initiative to advertise such products to somehow extend health concerns to the people,” said Mr. Caparoso in the interview.

“Ganoderma Lucidum is the scientific name for a species of Red Mushroom and is to be powerful than Ginseng. Its medical efficiency is as good as superior hence it’s known as the miraculous king of herbs.”   

The main raw material of the products makes use of the red mushroom best raised in Malaysia because of the soil chemistry, temperature and the general topography of the place. Such mushroom can flourish to other places like Philippines but its rate of growing, quality, and the like clash with those produced in the place.

Products’ prize usually in the form of food supplements and vitamins, and cleansing coffees range from PhP 200 to thousands. Prizes differ at rates depending on the volume of the packs one desires to buy and discounts are offered to members at 10 to 15% cut.

Earlier this month was the team’s successful conduct of same medical mission in Tadian and is expected to kick off another undertaking in Besao this weekend. Accordingly, the eagerness of the people as manifested in their interest to keep in touch with the products made the group to keep treading Mountain Province in this calling.

Meanwhile, other staffs involved in the project were as follows: Donald Saking, Pearl Director; Bensy Gonzales, nutritionist-dietitian; Thelma Laruan and David Laruan, Directors. (By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay)

The Secret Formula

Visiting previously other places made me realize that each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. A strength I noticed lately was my visit (with the group) in the Philippines’ cleanest and greenest city. Indeed, it was undeniably an impressive experience to stay in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan early this year as part of the faculty enriching excursion-program of the school where I am teaching at present. I was one among the millions of visitors who witnessed the secret formula Puerto Princesa City is employing to keep track an exalted award as the cleanest and greenest city of the Philippines for period of years. To such delight, one can really appreciate the measures the government of Palawan is doing in response to the zero waste management agenda of the city.

Puerto Princesa City is an extraordinary example of responsible tourism in action. This is with the fact the local government extends a progressive policies on environment, education and welfare relative to their culture and arts. Unbelievable as it may be, the city’s inhabitants enjoy one of the highest quality lives imaginable. Inspired by one heritage and vision of a clean and green city, each agency both in public and private sectors had extremely involved their share in such beautification program.

But what is the secret formula? I and my officemates were busy strolling along the main road in order to cross and get into the other side. We were looking for a souvenir shop that time so we can have items as remembrance for our stay in the city. Upon treading the sidewalk, a guy (not from the place) happened to drop a cigarette butt and continued striding to the usual. To great surprise, people around him caught his attention and told him that littering cigarette butt is but strictly prohibited. The man without hesitation picked up the butt and put it instead in the waste bag around.

What is surprising here is that the clean and green drive program of the city is a concerted effort of each citizen to implement such and not depending much to law enforcers do the job for them. A personal conviction to be part in such undertaking is an advance form of self involvement in the government’s programs for the welfare of all. Definitely, no dirt is expected to fling the sidewalks and the like when the citizens themselves are the law enforcers in monitoring cleanliness. Moreover, I have not seen street sweepers cleaning pathways or roads or a hired worker picking up dirt and other trash scattered unlike in Baguio City where there street sweepers all over. 

It is so exciting to know that there exist a city in the Philippines where its citizens have high environmental intelligence and whose pursuit is for the common good. Puerto Princesa City is not alone in this endeavor. Practically, almost all advance countries in the world have the same virtue and most under developed nations too do not know how to manage their dirt as well. The irony is, developed countries have garbage dreadful to human but still they manage to keep their environment as clean as possible, whereas, underdeveloped nations whose trash is limited to cellophane wrappers, papers, and the like cannot be disposed properly making the surroundings a venue for disease outbreaks year round.

I believed that the sense of instilling the value of cleanliness starts at home. Children when taught of proper values will one way or another appreciate the essence of the lesson we want to clarify with them. Their learning at home is similarly processed in school and the result will eventually go back at home and extend to the community. In related development, the successful conduct of the Lang-ay Festivals in the previous years denotes one common desire – a goal to showcase the province cultural heritage specifically on the people’s typical life, rituals and marriages, managing disputes, environmental theme and many more. Part of the environmental premise depicted in some display artworks of each municipality as fashioned in the street dancing and cultural presentation is the kindliness to protect the environment from exploitation and mismanagement. Thus, the Lang-ay festival in itself is a help to boost environmental awareness among people of Mountain Province. Mountain Province is not far in its bid to become a responsible tourism zone employing a higher level of a secret formula. (For comments, leave them in my websites at www.lesiomhar.page.tl and www.lesiomhar.multiply.com or in my CP# 09182658221)

Church empowers youth in programs

By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay

SABANGAN, Mt. Province - An effort to involve the young in the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) thrust of the church was initiated successfully by the youth ministry of Sabangan Catholic Mission which was held last June 15 at Saint Joseph Seminar Hall here.

This was in response to the foregoing programs of the vicariate’s youth ministry in realizing resources to engage the young in the varied church activities which were organized as early as April this year by Baltazar Robles, one of the Youth Ministry Staffs base in Teng-ab, Bontoc.

Kurt Karyl Pilacan, one of the resource speakers and a fourth year student of San Alfonso High School, Sabangan disclosed that a total of 32 elementary pupils and high school students attended the orientation that talked about the functions of the YEAST ministries in the BEC chart.

It will be recalled that in the BEC scheme of the Church, YEAST refers to the youth, education, altar, social services, and temporalities ministries as the Church pushes concrete realization of the communitarian model by the Second Vatican Council. BECs are regarded as a new way of being church – the Church as the grassroots and the people participate actively in the priestly and prophetic mission.

Such program was intended and designed for grade 6 and high school levels to assume the role of youth in the YEAST ministry in light with the social teachings of the church.   

“First and foremost, the orientation we had last Sunday is an attempt to involve the youth in the various Church activities. In this way, I believe that their potentials and interests are maximized fruitfully,” Kurt Pilacan said.

“It is the eagerness of the participants that drives us to go along with the plans as we are looking into follow-up activities that will soon take in the Sunday meetings as scheduled.”

Speakers of the said activity include Kurt Karyl Pilacan, Arius Mamanteo, Aiza Boguilis, and Arnoldyn Sally all from San Alfonso High School; Hannah Pacyado, and Roberto Pangpangdeo from Sabangan National High School.

Next week’s follow up activities will include team building seminar which will be facilitated by same group of student leaders. (By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay)

BONLAG TEACHERS STRENGTHEN THEIR CALLING

By LesioM Mhar P. Gao-ay

Resentments are but obstacles to ones life and an effort to cast out these inner adversities boosts faith in ones self in light with the Christian teachings, Rev. Fr. Benedicto de Guzman, the retreat master and an assistant chaplain at UP-BGH stressed before 170 teachers including the principals from the Mountain Province and Ifugao Vicariate Schools during the two-day healing retreat seminar held last June 18-20 at Teng-ab, Bontoc.

           Said retreat had exposed the participants on technology of

St.

Ignatius of Loyola, personal individual prayer, ten commandments for a close friendship, definition of weaknesses, sins, frailties, and addictions as an instrument to widen teachers’ calling on their career as facilitators in the Catholic schools at hand.

            Fr. De Guzman, who had been into retreat services even before becoming a philosopher underscored deeper sense of encountering Jesus in ones daily endeavor by way of giving quality relationships with Him as the greatest teacher of all times.

            Accordingly, bruised, broken feelings, unexpressed desires from the evils of the world need to be healed.

            “Broken feelings which were not brought out from within keep blocking ones process of growing. These resentments and insecurities may affect too personal commitments, friend and family relations, and the management of inner conflicts to ones self when these were not addressed properly at earlier times.”

            To such, this retreat seminar among teachers usually came at the beginning of a school year in an attempt to bind them in one vision-mission to start a school year, besides serving as form of renewal of camaraderie among the group.

            Participants of this year’s retreat include teachers from

Assumption

Academy

(Mayoyao),

Bauko

Catholic

School

(Bauko),

Don

Bosco

High School

(Lagawe),

Holy

Rosary

High School

(Tadian), Immaculate Conception School (Banaue),

Immaculate

Heart

High School

(Natonin),

San Francisco

High School

(Lamut),

San

Alfonso

High School

(Sabangan), and

Saint Vincent

’s School – Elementary and High School Departments (Bontoc). (By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay)

A FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL

            It was exactly three years from now when an experience I had once reminisced me to a laughing stuff at the moment. I brought my daughters at the Maharlika Complex fast-food at the basement after the tiring horse riding in Pacdal, and a biking activity in Burnham Park. So eager to eat at the strike of hunger, I left Keith, my four year old daughter (1 year and eight months that time) on top of the table to make some order at the counter while her sister Weng was beside to attend her. I got the best offer, my favorite dinuguan and dinakdakan, and the food items for my daughters including deserts. Inspired by the order I had, I gladly went back to where my daughters were. What a great surprise. I found Keith defecating on table’s top while her sister kept covering her mouth and nose to hideous disturbance and discomfort by the “aroma” diffusing around. Confused and pressured, I called the attention of one of the crews who happened to pass us by but upon starring at the feces, she declined and went farther. Then a lady customer was approaching knowing she would extend help, but at the moment she looked at the table, she backed off her way out of the basement.

At the spur of a moment, I cuddled Keith and rushed instead at the lobby where the comfort room was while Weng was at our back following. We left the table barely unclean where there stood that little stool for picture taking maybe. I couldn’t do anything but to take responsibility in washing Keith first before cleaning up the clutter. I was able to wash her then and while busy rinsing the cloth diapers, Keith, without my knowledge, rushed out from the comfort room barely naked. It was the security guard on-duty who took Keith back in the comfort room smiling. I bought some tissue paper nearby and treaded downstairs to mop the mess. Aha, the dirt I was expecting to clean was gone. Wow, thanks to the one who did the job, indeed, a heroic act one can appreciate. Whoever did it, thanks a million…

                It’s really great to become a father. This means handling venerable responsibility beside the delight one can experience in realizing fathering role. Like a king in a kingdom, he sees and manages affairs in his territory clearly and straight so to maintain stable and safe place for his people, so does a father in a family in his own capacity and leadership. In an office, the figure head takes the initiative to pacify pressures and discomforts soaring around, so does a father who is influenced to employ measures in order to survive above adversities in the family with the help of his wife and children. So be it, a father who is at all gestures for family living is given due honors and recognition at this point in time due to his undying and unfathomable love for his family.

                I am enjoying really the pleasure of being a father most especially when the family is out of town for fun and excursion. Whenever my daughters feel urinating or defecating at the spur, I am bringing them to men’s comfort room where all the guys look intently at me. Aha, it would be too awkward if I’ll bring them at the women’s section for the purpose. I might be charged of malicious and lascivious intent and the like.

Yes, this week’s social gimmick is the FATHER’S DAY SPECIAL for all fathers. This social affair aimed to recognize father’s heroic triumph, a worldly celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century. Likewise, this is to complement Mother’s Day in keeping fatherhood by way of honoring and commemorating fathers and forefathers’ role in the family. Father’s Day is remembered on different schedules worldwide and characteristically involves gift-giving to fathers and family-oriented activities as a way of profound appreciation to ones career in fathering.

                To date, father’s day affair was first proposed by Mrs. Sonora Smart B. Dodd of Washington in 1909 contrary to the misconception that such day was organized to help greeting card manufacturers sell cards. Mrs. Dodd wanted to honor her father who was then alone to raise the family when his wife (Dodd’ mother) died upon giving birth. It was only Mrs. Dodd who realized the potency and selfishness her dad had shown in raising his children as a single parent. Until then that the first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910 at Spokane, Washington.  As a result, Father’s Day came into reality as a tribute to a daughter who conceptualized that her father and all good fathers deserved due recognition with a special day.

                Perhaps, many of us may think of extending greetings to someone whose feat seemed to have taken the role of being a father. I believe that the Father’s Day is not only intended to fathers literally but it does connote recognition to single parent, uncle, grandfather or anybody who assumed the role of fathering in his self. In our own culture, we understand that being a father is the bread winner of the family, in which the mother’s role is seen strongly as collaborator in home management that talks about financial aspect and decision making. But such perception changes as there evolve changes in the ways of life and ideas in the global community. Today, bread winning is both a shared responsibility of husband and wife where each enjoys equal opportunity in career making, guidance extended to children, and generally family standard operation procedures existing at home.

                To sum up, the father has the extensive influence when it comes to the success and failure in the family. Whatever displeasure a family is experiencing, this depends largely on how a head of a family addresses the deficiency. To all fathers out there, remember that the greatest glory in life is not in winning but in rising every time one falls. Again, happy father’s day! (For comments, feel free to leave them in my websites at www.lesiomhar.multiply.com, www.lesiomhar.page.tl)

Cell phones more dangerous than smoking

First of all, it is not my intention to tear down the fast growing use of the mobile phones at hand or to wreak horror among mobile users on the possible effects of constant exposures to radiation as one may encounter in using mobiles but this column is an attempt to understand the possibility of developing cancer as revealed in the recent scientific study. I am a passionate mobile user too and the nature of my job is dependent on the use of such device which I find it very helpful.
Going further, it is a universal belief that the inevitable advance in science endeavor facilitates human activities. As such, many appreciated the advantage one can get from using technology to ones endeavor. It is further regarded that the discoveries of modern science have not only affected the things we do, by providing us with gadgets and inventions of which earlier generations hardly dreamed but have also profoundly influenced the way we think at hand. In such an exciting time in the development of our culture, it is extremely important that people should understand the disadvantages these technologies give while we continue to take pleasure in what is likely the purpose of discovery and invention. The spirit and tradition of science from the inside is believed to have spoken the answers in making life automatic and complex by way of the products evidently used at home, office, school, and the like.
Specifically, everybody if not majority of us say that cellular phones fast track process of communications. One can really see the advantage it gives whether it is a personal, household, official, administrative form of communication. To some extent, these mobiles too speak a convenient and easy form of documentation such as photo, voice recording, and video footage taking. Likewise, latest units at hand were designed with internet access which indeed had laid enormous benefit to ones career and business.
But behind these advantages are the inconveniencies it leaves to humanity. Apparent drawback one can refer to is its influence to break a family when mismanaged by both husband and wife beside, it’s too expensive that you need to keep it operationally loaded for quite sometime. In some cases, others use it as a tool to destroy other’s personality, inflict fear to individual, and threaten lives. Moreover, mobiles bring forth causes of misunderstanding among neighbors due to mishandling of information.
Not mentioning the other disadvantages, mobiles are more dangerous than smoking according to research conducted by Dr. Vini Khurana, a top neurosurgeon who has received 14 awards over the past 16 years. Professor Khurana too has various scientific papers explaining the effect of mobile phones. He has put the results of his studies on a brain surgery website, and a paper based on the research is currently being peer-reviewed for publication in a scientific journal. While one is benefiting on the use of mobile, one is likely to develop cancer due to constant exposure to radiations emitted on the process. It sounds too detrimental but one must be careful in handling such. Its effect is more than smoking as commented in the net. The reason why radiation on mobiles is more dangerous is the fact that almost everybody including young and smokers are mobile users and that they are recipients of the trouble the fatal radiation is giving.
According to same research “using handsets for 10 years or more can double the risk of brain cancer. Cancers take at least a decade to develop, invalidating official safety assurances based on earlier studies which included few, if any, people who had used the phones for that long.” This is because as the mobile is online, certain brain cells get excited by the electromagnetic field (emf) created by mobiles. Such excitement may have cause brain cells to react more than the usual rate at which is it functioning in normal state. In such case, government from other countries like France, Germany and the European Government Agency had warned citizens specially that of children to minimize headset use. Moreover, the degree at which a person uses mobile is directly proportional to the possibility of acquiring brain related diseases leading to brain cancer formation. This means that the more people are exposed to radiation brought about by mobiles, the more it is to developed diseases associated to brain disorder or malfunctioning. On the other hand, some experts in this field disagreed with the issue. Despite the overwhelming reports on mobile’s radiation effects, some experts do not agree on the association of radiation to brain risks and other related diseases presented. Such disagreement says no further and adequate researches have been duly accomplished to verify and validate people’s speculations about the effect of radiations to humanity.
Whether this research report has to find its way for better recommendations and confirmation processes, it cost no money, time and effort to become aware of the possible consequences and effects. Remember that prevention is better than cure. You may say that I’ll shut up and hang up the cell phone instead putting too those cigarettes out in order to live long and healthy. But it would be a brilliant idea to consider such and take own safety measures to be warned at least. Investing little attempt in response to this challenge is not that bad. Look at Noah and his family, they were the only ones saying a flood is coming, and they were the only ones who survived. (For comments, feel free to leave it in my websites at www.lesiomhar.multiply.com, and www.lesiomhar.page.tl).

ON STARTING A SCHOOL YEAR

The Inquisitive Ab-abiik column had found its way for a new noble task. Such undertaking perhaps is believed to have placed him in service brought about by his victory in the recently held MORPECO election to take the District 5 seat as Sabangan Representative, or his exit at hand could have been a family interest, business stuff or a personal endeavor that had called his awareness and time. Nevertheless, Mr. Ben Moga’s AB-ABIIK had made its fashion to pole vault in the social and political issues for quite some time. Its eventual fold had accommodated this MIX BLOGS to continue the service but in different perspective. My MIX BLOGS on the other hand is a re-invention of thoughts about culture, themes concerning academic curriculum, tips and information with reference to teaching-learning process and many more. MIX BLOGS as it is named is indeed chemistry of educational issues, art of personal touch on people’s way of life in the mountain that will come to you in a form of a learning package.

Talking about starting a school year, the two months summer vacation is a myth to both teachers and the students. The teacher spent so much time preparing for and taking additional classes to re-certify him, attending workshops and INSET programs as means of retooling his methodologists and approaches, scouting around for fresh ideas, and just sitting starring at the trees, “What can I do differently this year? On the other hand, students themselves deeply appreciated the break and used it instead for travelling, visiting, and working while the others took summer vacation for schooling in order to repeat a course to improve grades.

Back in the traditional calendar days students can attend summer schooling either to retake a class or to accelerate the process of learning if not to advance further by taking subject units to graduate early. But more importantly, summer vacation means a good respite from the prescheduled routine of daily attendance in school as well as assignments and home works that comes in bulky. It also means an opportunity to take on paid summer employment in order to gain some work experience to have when students pursue their chosen career fields after college. Likewise, this vacation served both as head start for teachers and students prepare for the next school year opening.

The underlying success a learner can have in school is seen on how much a beginning of a school year is managed. Indeed, the start of classes can be the focal point of sustained learner’s interest if parents and teachers do collaborate on the factors affecting the learning process.

For parents, it would be a help to consider talking now about the upcoming school year and the first day of classes. Catching up with old friends and meeting new ones, learning classroom rules and finding out what’s ahead are but one of great considerations parents should discuss. Be sensitive to contemplate on entities of how much you feel about your child’s going off to the school and formulate pre-emptive response to address such obstacle. Make time to get to know your child’s teacher and classroom environment while establishing an endeavor to let the teacher know that you appreciate feedback on your child’s progress on positive and negative composures. Notify the teacher to anything out of the ordinary that’s going on with your child or family.

Furthermore, make a point to meet the school community for it helps a lot to know the learning environment of your child so you know what to give for your child to have a good school daily experience. Some neglect too the impact of home’s atmosphere when it comes to space for studying. Whether is it a sala (living room), kitchen’s table or any place at home, provide a well lighted place for study equipped with school supplies like books, journals, magazines, school needed materials and a dictionary. For better learning, parents should exert effort so their children must believe that they can learn and develop sense of conviction among themselves. The feedback you give your child—what you say and do about his or her abilities—will have a lasting impact on your child’s self-confidence. Be encouraging and praise your child for the amount of effort that he puts into accomplishments.

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Bridging School Curriculum and Culture – the Schools of Living Tradition’s Perspective

By Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay

(Published in the Mountain Province Exponent - April 27, 2008 Issue & Smart Schools dot com - May 5, 2008 Issue)

                The Schools of Living Tradition (SLT) trademark remains in the identity of the private schools in the province as bearer of the living culture interfacing the school’s curriculum to the traditional and indigenous processes.  Ideally, SLT teaches skills and techniques of doing a traditional art or craft in which the mode of teaching is usually non-formal, oral and with practical demonstrations.  But the SLT as reinvented and defined by the mission schools in the Bontoc-Lagawe Vicariate spells the integration of culture in the academic curricula.

                In line with the UNESCO’s call for the preservation of cultural heritage, some mission schools in the vicariate has fashioned its academic curriculum in light of interfacing areas of disciplines within the reach of culture – taking culture itself as tool in realizing learning goals in the four corners of learning. Preservation of culture in this sense has reached its highest level because the mode of doing it is manifested in the educative process one can really experience in the periphery of learning. The passion of doing it is in a living form, ensuring its transmission to the next generation as practiced and lived through everyday encounter in the learning workplace.

                One consideration in upbringing culture in the curriculum is the sole purpose of conserving and promoting the uniqueness of Igorots in this province bordered even in the school’s curriculum. This is anchored on the government’s mandate to preserve and uphold the nation’s historical and cultural legacy by encouraging and supporting the study, recognition and preservation of human cultural resources such as weavers, chanters, dancers, as well as conservation and development of such artistic, linguistic and occupational skills that are threatened with extinction.

                The successful conduct of the first and the second SLT Conventions that were held in Bauko Catholic School and Saint Vincent’s School a year ago was the manifestation of preserving and integrating traditional culture and its various creative expressions as a dynamic part of the province’s cultural mainstream. This has served as the exponent of living traditions and practices observed and fashioned in line with the schools’ extra-curricular activities. To such, the SLT conventions had showcased the authentic traditional practices in areas such as Tadian, Bauko, Sabangan, Bontoc, Banaue, and Lagawe.

                Around 30 teachers in this vicariate had devoted their time designing a learning packages vis-à-vis to the standard learning objectives ran down by the Department of Education. Beside the learning packages was the conduct of some study aimed at understanding the role of culture in the academe. Such study includes the CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS OF WESTERN MOUNTAIN PROVINCE NECESSARY IN THE PEACEMAKING PROCESS as conducted by teachers of San Alfonso High School, Bauko Catholic School and Holy Rosary High School; THE RELEVANCE OF THE OG-OGFU AS PRACTICED IN BONTOC ILI as studied by the teachers of Saint Vincent’s School – high school and elementary department; THE TRADITIONAL PRACTICE OF THE BOGWA as realized by the teachers of Saint Joseph School of Kiangan. These were but one of the studies and researches conducted in light with the effort to understand the position of the culture in the curriculum.

                A clear presentation of interfacing the culture in the academe is the consideration of the indigenous literary works as the springboard of realizing poetry lessons in the English class. If not, involve the students in documenting such literary works if resources are no where to find. It sounds shooting two birds in one bullet when the lesson is purposely intended for poetry at the same time in history as evidenced by the documentation process. In science, it would be very interesting to talk about the cloud seeding process versus the traditional way of inducing rain, the MANERWAP as practiced by the Bontoc people even up to the present time. Why not make use of the TAPIS, G-STRING, and other indigenous materials in realizing lessons for perimeter, area, and volume in Mathematics instead of using the dimensions of the tables, benches and their classrooms? Why discuss history of the United States first when there are hundreds of unsung and unheard Igorots heroes in the land? There are many ways in which one can realize the concept and views of the Schools of Living Tradition in school aside from teaching the genuine dances empowered by the gongs, playing indigenous sports during intramurals like that of the big shoe, kadangkadang, inagto, inetaan, sanggol, bawwet, ap-appayek, traditional cooking, and many other traditional sports not mentioned.

                Indeed, the Schools of Living Tradition as initiated and founded in the province by Mrs. Bridgette Pawid aims to identify aspects or components of traditional culture and art considered to be important to a cultural community that should be imparted to the young so these aspects can be perpetuated.

                While culture speaks itself a retrogressive impact, one can really identify specific stand why culture hampers ones ideals for any form of advancement. According to some, culture is indeed a blocking factor to development considering its process of preservation – preserving and staying to the usual practice while the rest are speeding for technological as well as scientific advancements. But the SLT as existed in the hands of the vicariate schools remains the same. That is why the role of the Schools of Living Tradition is clearly seen when it embraces both traditional practices while it goes with the fashion of advancements brought about by science and other related studies. The SLT’s learning goal includes revitalization and reinvention of the customs and traditions – culturally rooted while globally competitive.    

The typical eSabangan war dance performed by the San Alfonso High School students during the cultural presentation of this year’s intramural affair.

SABANGAN HOSTS VICARIATE YOUTH FORUM

Lesio Mhar P. Gao-ay

                SABANGAN, Mt. Province – The youth are the strong collaborators in bringing moral-spiritual reform to the country relevant to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’  (CBCP) call for personal and communal conversion towards social conscience; Most Rev. Rodolfo F. Beltran, the Apostolic Vicar of Bontoc-Lagawe stressed in his message as the 400 youth participants from the different municipalities of Mountain Province and Ifugao treaded the four-day youth forum held last April 24-27 here.

            Bishop Beltran further underscored the strong links among youth for their initiative in organizing this eventual forum which had exposed them to the pressing problems besetting the country today.

            On the other hand, Parish Priest of Sabangan Catholic Mission Fr. William D. Billag Jr., emphasized virtual purpose of this forum to wit; this gathering aimed to deepen youth’s commitment with Christ in an effort to strengthen their service to fellowmen, enlighten and empower their calling in the evangelical vocation as stressed by the theme “Strengthening BEC youth ministry in the light of the social teachings of the Catholic church.”

            Moreover, Youth Ministry Coordinator Sister Anita G. Inyat of the ICM congregation disclosed that this forum was conceptualized to re-echo the offshoots and the learning experiences one had gained from the Northern Luzon Forum held last Oct. 20-26 last year in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

            Accordingly, this youth forum had exposed the participants tracts on social teachings of the church, Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) and youth ministry, human sexuality, ecology, prayer and devotion, respect for life, responsible governance, and vocation hour which were the pressing resources needed by the participants in knowing themselves and in reaching out their inclination and leadership in the community.

            “After this event, I expect that the participants will do the same process, to re-echo in their own parishes or BECs the outcome of this gathering,” said Sister Anne.

            Personalities from the Vicariate’s Youth Ministry Fr. Bento T. Tamang, director; Ms Nellie Pandogas, Vicariate Youth Leader; and Sister Anita G. Inyat, Youth Ministry Coordinator did organize this event in an effort to bridge empowerment and the role of the youth in the evangelical mission.

            Likewise, Mrs. Virgie A. Sally, the president of the Sabangan Mission Pastoral Council revealed strong indicators of success of this forum as manifested in the kind of services rendered and thorough conduct of the events.

            She further stressed that the Sabangan community displayed resilient teamwork by way of giving cash and in kind donations besides the assistance held out in the preparation and restoration tasks.

            Meanwhile, speakers of the said forum include Most Rev. Francisco Claver, Fr. Bento T. Tamang, Sr. Anita G. Inyat, Fr. Victor de Guzman, Mr. Jean – Robert Escher, Fr. Marcial Lloyd C. Castañeda, Mr. Jose Descallar, Ms. Febe Sally, and Fr. Vincent Mynem C. Sagandoy. 

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